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NOVEMBER 22, 2002: DEAN AND BRITTA I
am currently working on an album with Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips
of Luna.
THE Q AWARDS 2002
The London weather was crisp and typically autumnal, really nice weather with a minimal amount of precipitation. I spent much of the weekend preceding the Q Awards walking around my second city. On one day I walked from the British Library near Kings Cross, to Earls Court. After 23 years of living there, I constantly see new things. I was reminded that the streets are a lot smaller than New York and cars can park against the traffic, a New York no-no. I didn't think I'd win the Q Awards for Best Producer, but I went for the party and the schmooze, anyway. From my past experience with these awards, if a recording artist self-produced his hit album, then that artist will be the winner of the producer's award. That's because an artist's public image is huge compared to a producer's and this often influences judges. But in Moby's case, he deserved the award. Moby is an innovator and he works hard. He has virtually created a new genre of record producer. What totally blew my mind was that Moby dedicated his acceptance speech to me. His words were:“I feel a little bit strange about excepting this especially seeing as Tony Visconti was nominated for an award, and if I had been on the distinguished panel of voting judges, I would have voted for Tony Visconti because he is my hero, and maybe if Q ever gives a lifetime award for producers, then Tony Visconti would certainly be top of the list.” I was quite stunned to hear him say that. For me, it was better than winning. Here is the link to his post-party speech. I thoroughly basked in the ceremony and post-party, meeting old friends and making new ones.
One of the highlights (which, alone, made the whole trip worthwhile) was meeting the entire cast of The League of Gentlemen (a BBC comedy series). David Bowie turned me on to their very dark humor during the making of Heathen. They were at the Q Awards to present the winner of "The Best Act in the World Today" award, which was Radiohead for the second year in a row. I was sitting at the table with two members of Radiohead. After they had won I went around to Tom and told him his group (and a handful of others) will save the music business. Throughout the ceremony Tom made the "I'm not worthy" sign at me and I made it back at him every time. I'm a big fan of theirs.
I had no idea that my old friends Ron and Russell of Sparks were there to present the "Best Album" award to Cold Play. Ron ran around the stage waving very long arms inside a specially made suit jacket. He was, as usual, surreal. I was also surprised to see John Squire there (formerly of Stone Roses and The Seahorses). I produced the Seahorses CD.
If the excitement of the Q Awards wasn't enough, I was invited to Bill Wyman's birthday party that very evening. Bill has co-written a book with my friend Richard Havers, an autobiography, and this was also the book launch party. There I met up with my old pal Bob Geldof. I produced two Boomtown Rats albums. We mainly talked about making records and raising children.
It was so nice to have spent such an exciting three days in London -- a much needed break from my working schedule. |
